Wadia Marie Simón Andonie FIRST WEEK (June 1 - June 7) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Watch a movie – “Cop Out” English Evidence Option: Journal Entry “Cop Out” During my first week of summer, I had a pleasurable time with my friends when we watched “Cop Out”, a comedy about two NYPD cops. Starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, this movie was unforgettable. Bruce Willis is Jimmy Monroe, a down-to-earth and divorced man whose daughter is getting married, while Tracy Morgan is Paul Hodges, a hilarious and foolish man who thinks his wife is cheating on him. After this couple got suspended without pay, Jimmy is concerned for his daughter’s wedding, which is highly expensive. Therefore, he comes up with the idea of selling a very old baseball card that is worth at least eighty thousand dollars. Unluckily, the movie’s climax arrives after the baseball card is stolen. That is when Jimmy and Paul get into action to get the baseball card back. These longtime NYPD partners find the card’s thief, Dave, who tells them where the card is - in hands of Latin drug dealers. When breaking the law and negotiating with Poh Boy, the leader of the drug dealers, they come into an agreement. Poh Boy will return the card back if Jimmy and Paul find his stolen Mercedes, which contains a beautiful Mexican woman who holds a USB device that has access to millions of dollars in bank accounts. Shortly after Jimmy and Paul rescued her, she escaped and left behind the USB device. Meanwhile, Poh Boy was deeply upset at Jimmy and Paul, who had killed his younger brother when finding the Mercedes. In effect, this merciless gangster captured Gabriela and threatened to kill her unless he received the USB. This bizarre and daring couple of the New York Police Department shot Poh Boy, who was pointing a gun at Gabriela. Jimmy finally finds his baseball card in Poh Boy’s pocket pant. Unfortunately, he becomes aware that his perfect baseball card had been ruined by Paul’s unsuccessful shots at Poh Boy. In the end, the wedding was paid by the stepfather. Although Jimmy did not pay for the wedding, he was truly and happily pleased when he gave his dazzling daughter away on her most important day.
Undoubtedly, I appreciated this movie because of its special and meaningful message. Parents have a strong and everlasting bond of love towards their children. They will do anything to make their children happy, and sometimes we do not even value that. In this case, Jimmy Monroe was perseverant when trying to afford his daughter’s wedding. In the long run, he almost got killed and dealt with a heartless drug dealer. Jimmy Monroe is the perfect example of a father who loves his daughter and will do anything for her. (442 words)
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie SECOND WEEK (June 8 - June 14) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read a celebrity blog (PEOPLE.COM) – Paula Abdul: “Simon Cowell will be a loving husband” English Evidence Option: Journal Entry Paula Abdul: “Simon Cowell will be a loving husband” This week I read the celebrity blog PEOPLE.COM. An article called “Paula Abdul: ‘Simon Cowell will be a loving husband’ ” really caught my attention. It turns out to be that the not-so-lovely Simon Cowell from the famous show American Idol is engaged to his girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy. They met in American Idol, where she worked as a make-up artist, and have been dating for about a year. After hearing the surprising news, Paula Abdul was terribly shocked. She actually commented that it took her twelve days to “take her jaw off the ground and put it back”. Yet, Abdul also said that she is happy for the couple and that Mezghan is a lovely girl. Besides that, the American Idol judge added that Simon Cowell might show a softer side once he is happily married. Possibly, Paula Abdul might be right in what concerns Simon Cowell’s mood once he marries. Indeed, becoming a husband and not working as a judge could show his caring side. However, there is no doubt that we will all miss Simon Cowell and his honest and harsh opinions that made American Idol one of the most entertaining shows on television. (196 words)
Works Cited Chi, Paul. “Paula Abdul: Simon Cowell Will Be a Loving Husband”. PEOPLE. June 14, 2010. Web. June 14, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie THIRD WEEK (June 15 - June 21) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read a book – Girlfriend Material English Evidence Option: Journal Entry Girlfriend Material Two days ago, one of my best friends lend my younger sister a book called Girlfriend Material, by Melissa Kantor. Unsurprisingly, my younger sister, Joanne, finished the book in no time. Joanne is truly a book lover and suggested that I read it too. Currently, I am in page 207, Chapter 20. I can say that my friend and my sister were right about it. I found myself laughing alone when reading it, and I have enjoyed every moment of it. It tells the story about a girl called Kate, who is forced to spend her summer at Cape Cod with her mom and her long-time friends, the Cooper-Melnicks, instead of staying in Salt Lake City with her BFF Laura. Actually, the book is narrated by Kate, who is a funny, smart, and witty 16 year-old teenager. The Cooper-Melnicks, and their daughter Sarah, had visited Salt Lake City ten years ago. Sarah and Kate had been inseparable, but things have changed a lot in ten years. At the beginning, Kate’s summer seems to be ruined by Sarah, who does not seem interested in her at all. Kate sees herself spending the summer with her talkative mom and boring grown-ups. However, things changed after Kate met Sarah’s friends, Jenna, Adam, and Lawrence, who were totally different from Sarah’s “bitchy attitude”. Kate’s summer begins to unfold as Adam really starts catching her attention. He is the cutest of Sarah’s friends, and always has something nice to talk about with Kate. They even share their love for books and like spending time at the library. Unexpectedly, after walking in the beach, Kate and Adam kissed. They start to hang out, and Kate wonders if she is “girlfriend material”, as she has never had a boyfriend before. After Kate becomes aware that Adam is on a “break” with his girlfriend, she also begins to ask herself if her relationship with Adam is just a summer fling. As Kate’s relationship with her mom becomes worse, her relationship with Sarah improves after she apologized to her. Yet, Kate is always thinking about Adam. Does she want a serious relationship with him? Is she in love with him? (361 words)
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie FOURTH WEEK (June 22 - June 28) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read the news – World’s Largest Gold Coin Sold for $4 Million English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
World’s Largest Gold Coin Sold for $4 Million After reading the news, I found out that the world’s largest gold coin was sold for $4 million at the Dorotheum auction house in Vienna. The Spanish precious-metals company Oro Direct bought the high-priced coin. According to Kim Peterson, it weighs 220 pounds and is 21 inches in diameter. Additionally, the coin is 99.99% pure gold and was introduced in 2007 with a value of $2.7 million (Peterson). In three years, the coin’s value increased 50%. The coin portrays Queen Elizabeth II on one side and a maple leaf on the other. It took six weeks to make. One rule in gold investing, Peterson suggests, is to buy common coins (instead of rare coins) that are easy to trade. Peterson and other experts wonder why Oro Direct bought this coin, which was greatly expensive and will be hard to sell. (140 words)
Works Cited Peterson, Kim. “World’s Largest Gold Coin Sells”. MSN. June 28, 2010. Web. June 28, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie FIFTH WEEK (June 29 – July 5) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read the news – Nigeria’s President Suspends Football Team English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
Nigeria’s President Suspends Football Team
President Goodluck Jonathan
I was utterly stunned by the news that Nigeria’s president suspended the football team from international competition for two years. President Goodluck Jonathan suspended the national team after a “poor showing at the World Cup”. According to Ima Niboro, his spokesman, this ban would allow the country to reorganize the football administration, besides investigating any misappropriate funding of the World Cup squad.
In its last game at the 2010 World Cup, Nigeria tied with South Korea 2-2. Earlier, in its Group B, Nigeria lost to Argentina 1-0 and to Greece 2-1. In addition, Nigeria has not won a World Cup match since 1988 and also failed to participate in the 2006 World Cup at Germany.
Presently, Nigeria risks being banned by the FIFA from all international football because of its political intervention (The Jakarta Post). In fact, one of FIFA’s demands is that “national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world football”.
I reckon that suspending Nigeria’s football team for two years is totally insane and foolish. It could actually delay Nigeria’s progress in soccer. Besides, FIFA prohibits political interference, so Nigeria could face suspension from international football. Indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan is acting irrationally. (198 words)
Works Cited Abuja. “Nigeria’s President Suspends Football Team”. The Jakarta Post. June 30, 2010. Web. June 30, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie SIXTH WEEK (July 6 – July 12) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Watch a movie -“Shrek Forever After” English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
“Shrek Forever After” Last week I went to the movies and watched “Shrek Forever After”. I was surprised to know that in his last movie, Shrek is unhappy. After marrying Fiona and having three kids, he feels no one treats him like an ogre anymore. In fact, everybody loves him. But Shrek misses the old days when people terribly feared him.
His boredness and frustration led him to make a pact with Rumplestilskin, in which Shrek got to be a “real ogre” for a day. Shrek was taken to a day where everybody was alarmed by his sight. Yet, he was also taken to a day where Rumplestilskin is king of Far Far Away Land and where ogres are hunted.
As the day went by, Shrek realized he had been completely fooled by Rumplestilskin. Actually, he, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss in Boots had never met. But Shrek managed to convince Donkey to help him. They find out that a “kiss from Shrek’s true love – Fiona” before the day is over will restore everything back to normal. But, they also discovered that if Fiona and Shrek do not kiss, Shrek will disappear and Rumplestilskin will rule forever.
Shrek and Donkey set out to find Fiona for the kiss. They discover that she is the leader of the resistance against Rumplestilskin and his army of witches. Throughout the movie, Shrek tries to make Fiona fall in love with him all over again.
Meanwhile, Rumplestilskin wanted to capture Shrek to prevent the day from being over. Anyone who would bring Shrek to him would be conceded one wish. Moreover, Fiona and the other ogres planned to attack Rumplestilskin’s castle. Their plan failed and Fiona and the ogres were imprisoned by the witches.
Shockingly, Shrek turns himself in to Rumplestilskin to have the wish. Shrek’s wish was to freed all the ogres. Yet, Rumplestilskin, being the fraud he is, did not freed Fiona. He firmly stated that Fiona is “half ogre, half human”.
The freed ogres did not give up easily on their leader and on Shrek. With Donkey and Puss in Boots leading, they attacked Rumplestilskin and succeeded. But, as the day was coming to an end, Shrek was disappearing. Just before the clock’s handle marked 12 o’clock midnight, Shrek was kissed by his true love.
In the end, Shrek’s life returned to normal. After the horrifying experience, Shrek was very grateful for his family and friends. (435 words)
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie SEVENTH WEEK (July 13 – July 19) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Watch a movie – “October Sky” English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
“October Sky” I was deeply inspired by the movie “October Sky”, based on a true story. It relates the life of Homer Hickam Jr., a 14 year-old boy who lived in a small town called Coalwood, in West Virginia. At that time, the future of all male teenagers was clear: become miners when they grow up. But after Homer watched the Soviet Satellite, Sputnick, fly over his town, everything changed.
This gifted, genius youngster and his groups friends started working on homemade rockets. With dedication and a lot of studying and research, they succeeded and managed to launch their brilliant and innovating rockets. Soon after, the whole town was awed by this group of teenagers, except Homer’s father.
Homer’s father, also called Homer, was not interested in his son’s achievement. He was the mine superintendent and gave most of his attention to his older son, the best football player in school. In fact, he had never attended Homer’s performances on rocket launching.
Homer Jr. was negatively affected by his father’s attitude and opinion towards him. His father believed Homer was wasting his time and that he had “silly” and “absurb” ideas. This got to a point when Homer almost did not believe in himself and in his dream of creating better rockets and travelling to space.
One person who truly believed and supported Homer was Miss Riley, his chemistry teacher. She urged Homer to keep following his dream. She was amazed by Homer’s potential and thought that he could win the National Science Fair and a scholarship.
Homer was just believing in himself again, when there was an accident in the mine where his father worked. His father had saved the lives of twelve workers, but he almost lost one of his eyes and needed to be transferred to another hospital with expensive costs. So, Homer dropped out of school to work on the mine to afford the hospital’s costs.
Homer Hickam Jr. was interpreted by the actor Jake Gyllenhal.
Afterwards, his father returned home and began working on the mines again. Homer, however, did not go back to school. He remained working on the mines with his father. Surprisingly, Homer and his father were getting along more than ever. His father was proud of him and thought Homer had a natural talent to work on the mines.
Miss Riley was not happy with Homer working on the mines, though. She thought Homer deserved more than that. After Homer heard that she had a disease called Hodgkins, he went to visit her. Miss Riley told him how proud she was of him, and convinced him to go back to school to participate in the science fair.
Soon, he and his group of friends started constructing rockets again. Yet, Homer’s father was not pleased with his son returning school and working on rockets. In spite of his dad’s harsh behavior, Homer was able to win his school’s science fair.
There was no surprise that Homer won first place in the 1960 National Science Fair at Indianapolis. Homer returned to Coalwood, where everyone greeted him proudly. Finally, his father went to watch Homer launch one of his rockets.
I consider that this movie translates a beautiful message. Throughout his journey on experimenting with rockets, Homer showed perseverance. He struggled through moments when he almost gave up, but in the end, he accomplished his goal. He and his group of friends were given scholarships. Before long, Homer Hickam Jr. became a NASA engineer. This young man proved that anything is possible with perseverance. (590 words)
Homer and his friends succeeded in building and launching rockets.
Currently, Homer Hickam is training astronauts.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie EIGHTH WEEK (July 20 – July 26) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read a celebrity blog (PEOPLE.COM) – Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds One of my all-time favorite artists definitely includes British singer Robbie Williams. His songs are always beautifully written, his voice is breathtaking, and I love his sense of style. So, I was pleased to know that he got happily married. According to the celebrity blog PEOPLE.COM, Robbie Williams married the 31 year-old actress Ayda Field. The wedding took place in his Beverly Hills house, where they exchanged vows in front of 75 of their closest friends and family. As reported by Samantha McIntyre, Robbie Williams wore a black tuxedo, while the bride wore a white dress with her hair pinned up. Pete Conaway, Robbie’s father, said, “At last, Rob is happy. That's what you want for your kids and this is the happiest I've seen him. Ayda is so beautiful and so delightful and so lovely and just so right for him. They are brilliant together." (146 words)
Works Cited McIntyre, Samantha. “Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds”. PEOPLE. August 7, 2010. Web. August 8, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
FIRST WEEK (June 1 - June 7) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Watch a movie – “Cop Out”
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
“Cop Out”
Undoubtedly, I appreciated this movie because of its special and meaningful message. Parents have a strong and everlasting bond of love towards their children. They will do anything to make their children happy, and sometimes we do not even value that. In this case, Jimmy Monroe was perseverant when trying to afford his daughter’s wedding. In the long run, he almost got killed and dealt with a heartless drug dealer. Jimmy Monroe is the perfect example of a father who loves his daughter and will do anything for her. (442 words)
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
SECOND WEEK (June 8 - June 14) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read a celebrity blog (PEOPLE.COM) – Paula Abdul: “Simon Cowell will be a loving husband”
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
Paula Abdul: “Simon Cowell will be a loving husband”
Possibly, Paula Abdul might be right in what concerns Simon Cowell’s mood once he marries. Indeed, becoming a husband and not working as a judge could show his caring side. However, there is no doubt that we will all miss Simon Cowell and his honest and harsh opinions that made American Idol one of the most entertaining shows on television. (196 words)
Works Cited
Chi, Paul. “Paula Abdul: Simon Cowell Will Be a Loving Husband”. PEOPLE. June 14, 2010. Web. June 14, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
THIRD WEEK (June 15 - June 21) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read a book – Girlfriend Material
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
Girlfriend Material
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
FOURTH WEEK (June 22 - June 28) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read the news – World’s Largest Gold Coin Sold for $4 Million
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
World’s Largest Gold Coin Sold for $4 Million
After reading the news, I found out that the world’s largest gold coin was sold for $4 million at the Dorotheum
One rule in gold investing, Peterson suggests, is to buy common coins (instead of rare coins) that are easy to trade. Peterson and other experts wonder why Oro Direct bought this coin, which was greatly expensive and will be hard to sell. (140 words)
Works Cited
Peterson, Kim. “World’s Largest Gold Coin Sells”. MSN. June 28, 2010. Web. June 28, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
FIFTH WEEK (June 29 – July 5) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read the news – Nigeria’s President Suspends Football Team
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
Nigeria’s President Suspends Football Team
In its last game at the 2010 World Cup, Nigeria tied with South Korea 2-2. Earlier, in its Group B, Nigeria lost to Argentina 1-0 and to Greece 2-1. In addition, Nigeria has not won a World Cup match since 1988 and also failed to participate in the 2006 World Cup at Germany.
Presently, Nigeria risks being banned by the FIFA from all international football because of its political intervention (The Jakarta Post). In fact, one of FIFA’s demands is that “national federations manage their affairs independently, or face suspension from world football”.
I reckon that suspending Nigeria’s football team for two years is totally insane and foolish. It could actually delay Nigeria’s progress in soccer. Besides, FIFA prohibits political interference, so Nigeria could face suspension from international football. Indeed, President Goodluck Jonathan is acting irrationally. (198 words)
Works Cited
Abuja. “Nigeria’s President Suspends Football Team”. The Jakarta Post. June 30, 2010. Web. June 30, 2010.
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
SIXTH WEEK (July 6 – July 12) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Watch a movie -“Shrek Forever After”
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
“Shrek Forever After”
Last week I went to the movies and watched “Shrek Forever After”. I was surprised to know that
His boredness and frustration led him to make a pact with Rumplestilskin, in which Shrek got to be a “real ogre” for a day. Shrek was taken to a day where everybody was alarmed by his sight. Yet, he was also taken to a day where Rumplestilskin is king of Far Far Away Land and where ogres are hunted.
As the day went by, Shrek realized he had been completely fooled by Rumplestilskin. Actually, he, Fiona, Donkey, and Puss in Boots had never met. But Shrek managed to convince Donkey to help him. They find out that a “kiss from Shrek’s true love – Fiona” before the day is over will restore everything back to normal. But, they also discovered that if Fiona and Shrek do not kiss, Shrek will disappear and Rumplestilskin will rule forever.
Shrek and Donkey set out to find Fiona for the kiss. They discover that she is the leader of the resistance against Rumplestilskin and his army of witches. Throughout the movie, Shrek tries to make Fiona fall in love with him all over again.
Meanwhile, Rumplestilskin wanted to capture Shrek to prevent the day from being over. Anyone who would bring Shrek to him would be conceded one wish. Moreover, Fiona and the other ogres planned to attack Rumplestilskin’s castle. Their plan failed and Fiona and the ogres were imprisoned by the witches.
Shockingly, Shrek turns himself in to Rumplestilskin to have the wish. Shrek’s wish was to freed all the ogres. Yet, Rumplestilskin, being the fraud he is, did not freed Fiona. He firmly stated that Fiona is “half ogre, half human”.
The freed ogres did not give up easily on their leader and on Shrek. With Donkey and Puss in Boots leading, they attacked Rumplestilskin and succeeded. But, as the day was coming to an end, Shrek was disappearing. Just before the clock’s handle marked 12 o’clock midnight, Shrek was kissed by his true love.
In the end, Shrek’s life returned to normal. After the horrifying experience, Shrek was very grateful for his family and friends. (435 words)
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
SEVENTH WEEK (July 13 – July 19) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Watch a movie – “October Sky”
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
“October Sky”
I
This gifted, genius youngster and his groups friends started working on homemade rockets. With dedication and a lot of studying and research, they succeeded and managed to launch their brilliant and innovating rockets. Soon after, the whole town was awed by this group of teenagers, except Homer’s father.
Homer’s father, also called Homer, was not interested in his son’s achievement. He was the mine superintendent and gave most of his attention to his older son, the best football player in school. In fact, he had never attended Homer’s performances on rocket launching.
Homer Jr. was negatively affected by his father’s attitude and opinion towards him. His father believed Homer was wasting his time and that he had “silly” and “absurb” ideas. This got to a point when Homer almost did not believe in himself and in his dream of creating better rockets and travelling to space.
One person who truly believed and supported Homer was Miss Riley, his chemistry teacher. She urged Homer to keep following his dream. She was amazed by Homer’s potential and thought that he could win the National Science Fair and a scholarship.
Homer was just believing in himself again, when there was an accident in the mine where his father worked. His father had saved the lives of twelve workers, but he almost lost one of his eyes and needed to be transferred to another hospital with expensive costs. So, Homer dropped out of school to work on the mine to afford the hospital’s costs.
Afterwards, his father returned home and began working on the mines again. Homer, however, did not go back to school. He remained working on the mines with his father. Surprisingly, Homer and his father were getting along more than ever. His father was proud of him and thought Homer had a natural talent to work on the mines.
Miss Riley was not happy with Homer working on the mines, though. She thought Homer deserved more than that. After Homer heard that she had a disease called Hodgkins, he went to visit her. Miss Riley told him how proud she was of him, and convinced him to go back to school to participate in the science fair.
Soon, he and his group of friends started constructing rockets again. Yet, Homer’s father was not pleased with his son returning school and working on rockets. In spite of his dad’s harsh behavior, Homer was able to win his school’s science fair.
There was no surprise that Homer won first place in the 1960 National Science Fair at Indianapolis. Homer returned to Coalwood, where everyone greeted him proudly. Finally, his father went to watch Homer launch one of his rockets.
I consider that this movie translates a beautiful message. Throughout his journey on experimenting with rockets, Homer showed perseverance. He struggled through moments when he almost gave up, but in the end, he accomplished his goal. He and his group of friends were given scholarships. Before long, Homer Hickam Jr. became a NASA engineer. This young man proved that anything is possible with perseverance. (590 words)
Wadia Marie Simón Andonie
EIGHTH WEEK (July 20 – July 26) - Summer Reading
English Input Activity: Read a celebrity blog (PEOPLE.COM) – Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds
English Evidence Option: Journal Entry
Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds
One of my all-time favorite artists definitely includes British singer Robbie Williams. His songs are always b
The wedding took place in his Beverly Hills house, where they exchanged vows in front of 75 of their closest friends and family. As reported by Samantha McIntyre, Robbie Williams wore a black tuxedo, while the bride wore a white dress with her hair pinned up. Pete Conaway, Robbie’s father, said, “At last, Rob is happy. That's what you want for your kids and this is the happiest I've seen him. Ayda is so beautiful and so delightful and so lovely and just so right for him. They are brilliant together." (146 words)
Works Cited
McIntyre, Samantha. “Pop Star Robbie Williams Weds”. PEOPLE. August 7, 2010. Web. August 8, 2010.